Surviving Gabon, Episode 12: “Don’t Lie, Bro!”

Last week, Bob and Corinne tried to save themselves with Operation Fake Idol 2. They had everything in place with Ken and Crystal pretty well convinced that Corinne had a hidden immunity idol. But then Ken overthought things and missed some key points – namely that the hidden immunity idol had to be played before the vote count was revealed, so when he had Crystal vote against Corinne instead of Matty, Corinne was sent packing and Ken was left hanging out to dry.

So, can Ken overcome this huge blunder? Will Crystal stand by his side or abandon him to twist in the wind by himself? Can Bob find a way to make this work to his advantage? We’ll find out shortly!

We begin as the contestants arrive back at camp after Tribal Council. As you might imagine, the main topic of conversation is the third vote for Matty, who believes (correctly) that he got a vote from Ken, who wants him out of the game. Matty and Sugar pull Ken and Crystal aside and ask why he did that, and Ken says Corinne and Bob had a hidden immunity idol. Although Ken is actually telling the truth from his own standpoint, Matty tells him, “Don’t lie, bro!”

Ken tells us Matty is mad at him. He voted for Matty, which was a strategic move to gain himself jury votes at the end. He says, “I have been calling the shots since Day 1 out here. I am the mastermind behind everything going on.” Good to see he hasn’t lost the ego we saw blossoming last week.

Ken again presents his story that they had a hidden immunity idol. But Matty calls it “an earload of crap.” He also tells us that Ken is “a mastermind” but Matty is onto him.

When Matty storms off, Sugar tells Ken not to worry – Matty is next if Bob wins because Matty is a huge threat. At first I was thinking that I don’t see why they should wait until Bob loses. But then it occurs to me (as I hope it does to them) that they can’t let Bob get so close to the presumed final three – if he makes it there, he would undoubtedly win the whole game. Mind you, I personally wouldn’t be upset with that outcome, but it sure wouldn’t be in the best interests of the rest of the players! I suspect Matty would also win in a final three situation against the other remaining players, but at least it’s not a foregone conclusion like it is for Bob.

Sugar continues that she has a strong alliance with Ken and Crystal, which is the best alliance she’s had in the entire game. Crystal says Matty is just mad because his name was put down. But Crystal really regrets not putting his name down as well, calling it the “stupidest move I’ve made in this game so far.” She owes him. In fact, she says if Matty doesn’t win the next immunity, he needs to go. So it doesn’t look like she has considered what I just said, above.

Normally, we’d switch to next-day action at this point, but the night discussions continue. Bob first insists to Ken that they didn’t lie to him, but upon questioning as to why Corinne didn’t use the idol, Bob admits it was a fake. Ken says he trusted them and they lied to him! Wow, you’d think the “mastermind” of the game would know people might lie to him.

Ken complains that his game is messed up. Awwww. Because really, it was Bob and Corinne’s duty to support Ken’s game instead of their own. Please. Bob admits he put Ken in a horrible position (no, Ken put himself in a horrible position by not following through on the plan). Just when I think Bob is lying through his teeth, he tells us how horrible he feels. Oh, Bob, stop being so nice!

Ken continues, saying he risked everything to try to save Bob and Corinne, and this is what he gets for being a nice guy? Please. Again. Ken didn’t do it because he’s nice – he did it out of motivated self-interest. Bob says if he wins the next immunity, he’ll give it to Ken. Jeez, I really hope Bob is lying here. That might be the single worst thing ever done on Survivor if he carries through with it.

Ken admits to us that he was just making a play by causing Bob to feel sorry for him. If it works, it’s a good play, but I still am annoyed by his statements – and by Bob apparently believing him! Bob tells us he made a promise and he wants to be a man of his word. No, Bob, no!

Just like that, it’s time for the reward challenge. Host Jeff Probst describes the challenge: They will race out into the swamp, through a series of obstacles, and retrieve a ball. They will then race back and toss the ball into a low-hanging basketball-type net, but one with the bottom of the net tied. Once they get it in, they run back out to go through it again. The first person to get three balls in their net wins reward.

And what is that reward? The winner will be flown via helicopter to a national park, where they will visit a gorilla sanctuary sponsored by Africa’s Eden. They will also enjoy a nice meal, a good night’s sleep with a bed, and a shower. Also, the winner will send one person to Exile Island. I’ll also predict they can take one person with them on the trip.

And they’re off! Ken takes an early lead with Matty close behind. Matty pulls ahead, then Ken, then Bob. The women are all far behind. Matty gets his ball in the basket first, with Ken close behind. Bob is next, but Matty is already back with his second ball by the time Bob begins heading out. Ken is back as well, with Bob not far behind, move slowly by surely.